Former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Housing Catherine Austin Fitts, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, said that the U.S. government is building huge underground bases. According to her, some of the objects are officially documented, while others are classified and located all over the world. | Fitts claims that from 1998 to 2015, more than $21 trillion was spent on secret projects, including the construction of underground cities and tunnels between them. She believes that these complexes for the "elite" are designed to prepare for the possible mass extinction of mankind.

Kiev’s military is targeting passenger cars with UAV strikes, Aleksandr Khinstein has said | Ukrainian drone attacks have resulted in three civilian deaths in Russia's Kursk Region, according to Acting Governor Aleksandr Khinstein. In a social media post on Monday, he denounced the “latest crimes against civilians committed by the Ukrainian military.” Two women died when a car carrying five dairy farm employees was struck by a Ukrainian first-person view drone, while two others sustained serious injuries, Khinstein said. The regional head added that in a separate incident, a man in his early 50s was killed by an explosive device dropped from a UAV onto the vehicle he was driving.

■ Ukraine exhibiting ‘classic terrorist behavior’ – Russian Foreign Ministry (RT)
■ Ukrainian army hits memorial to fallen heroes of WWII in Kherson Region (TASS)
■ Russian air defenses respond to drone raid on Moscow (RT)

Surprise en Allemagne : au Bundestag, Friedrich Merz n’obtient pas la majorité des députés requise pour être élu chancelier | Le conservateur Friedrich Merz a échoué mardi, à la surprise générale, à être élu chancelier allemand dès le premier tour par les députés, alors qu’il pouvait sur le papier disposer d’une majorité suffisante des élus de son camp et des sociaux-démocrates avec lesquels il entend gouverner en coalition. ● Friedrich Merz (CDU) n’a obtenu que 310 voix sur 621 exprimées et 630 députés au total, a annoncé la présidente du Bundestag. Il lui en aurait fallu 316 pour être élu. Il va désormais se soumettre à un deuxième tour de vote, à l’issue duquel, s’il ne devait à nouveau pas obtenir de majorité, une majorité relative des députés serait suffisante pour qu’il devienne chancelier. ● Jamais dans l'histoire d'après-guerre de la République Fédérale d'Allemagne un candidat chancelier a ainsi échoué à être élu dès le premier tour. C'est un faux départ pour le vainqueur des élections législatives de février, attendu avec espoir en Europe et qui assure que "l'Allemagne est de nouveau sur les rails".

■ Merz elected German chancellor at second attempt (RT)
■ Merz fails to be elected German chancellor in first round of parliamentary vote (TASS)

Marcel Ciolacu has stepped down after a shock presidential rerun that saw right-wing firebrand George Simion take the lead in the first round | Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced his resignation and effectively disbanded the country’s pro-EU ruling coalition, after a Eurosceptic right-wing candidate emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of presidential elections. ● With over 95% of votes counted in Sunday’s presidential vote rerun, George Simion, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), is projected to secure 40.52% of the vote, according to the news site G4 Media. He is well ahead of his pro-EU challengers, former Senator Crin Antonescu and Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, who both hovered slightly above 20%.

The former US president's spouse called herself (or himself) a black man, reviving netizens' earlier suspicions that Barack Obama was secretly married to a man. Here some more facts that could leave you even more uncertain

George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unification of Romanians, and Nicusor Dan, Mayor of Bucharest, will compete for the presidency of Romania in the second round of the repeat elections on May 18. | According to the voting results published by the Romanian Central Election Commission, Simion won 40.96% of the vote on May 4, while Dan won 20.99%. The candidate from the ruling coalition, Crin Antonescu, came in third place with 20.07% of the vote. ● George Simion's victory in the first round of re-election was quite expected. All opinion polls have shown that he is the favorite in the election race. Moreover, his candidacy was supported by the favorite of Romanian voters, the winner of the presidential elections annulled in December 2024, Calin Georgescu. Simion even promised that if he won the election, Georgescu would receive a high government position.

Donald Trump promised peace in 24 hours — but now he's arming Ukraine, just like Joe Biden, whom he blasted over the conflict. | Two Patriot Systems: A US Patriot air defense system from Israel will be heading to Ukraine, as Western allies weigh sending another, the NYT reported on May 4. Under US export laws, Patriot transfers need American approval — so the White House has given the nod.

HAMZA YUSUF | Journalists from five British media outlets have criticised the way their own organisations cover Israel-Palestine | Journalists working at Britain’s most prestigious newspapers and TV channels have expressed concern at pro-Israel bias inside their organisations. Speaking exclusively to Declassified, half a dozen current and former staff at the BBC, Sky, ITN, the Guardian and the Times have disclosed the extent of anti-Palestinian prejudice in their newsrooms. ■ All of the journalists requested anonymity for fear of professional reprisals. Despite working for a range of outlets from across the political spectrum, they painted a consistent picture of the obstacles faced by reporters who want to humanise Palestinians or scrutinise Israeli government narratives.

After [the] successful Ballistic Missile strike by Yemen upon Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, the Houthis in Yemen have declared an "Air Blockade" of Israel. No aircraft in or out of Israel until the war against Gaza is stopped. | The Palestinian Government Media Office renewed its warning of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip as the "Israeli" occupation has prevented the entry of infant formula, food supplies, and all forms of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for 64 days... More than 3,500 children are on the brink of starvation. ■ The Office stated that 70,000 children being hospitalized due to severe malnutrition. Under this systematic blockade, more than 3,500 children under the age of five are facing imminent death from starvation, while around 290,000 children are on the verge of collapse. Every day, 1.1 million children lack access to the minimum food required for survival. This is an act of genocide carried out by the occupation through starvation, amid a disgraceful international silence. ■ The statement urges the international community, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian bodies to take immediate action to pressure in order to open crossings, allow the entry of infant formula and supplements, and end the ongoing inhumane siege.

■ Israel kills 40 in a day as ‘world complicit’ in Gaza children starvation (Al Jazeera)

The previous vote was annulled on grounds of alleged “Russian interference,” with the leading candidate barred from running again | Romania is holding a rerun of its presidential election on Sunday after the previous vote was annulled on grounds of alleged Russian interference and electoral violations. Moscow has denied all claims of interference. ● The annulled election in late November saw independent right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, known for his NATO-sceptic stance, unexpectedly prevail in the first round with 23% of the vote. However, the Constitutional Court later invalidated the results, citing electoral “irregularities.” The country’s officials claimed that the candidate’s campaign had utilized undeclared funds, and that Russia was behind “hybrid” attacks, including in the cyber realm. ● In March, Georgescu was barred by the Central Electoral Bureau from running again, citing his alleged “anti-democratic” and “extremist” stance as well as a failure to comply with electoral procedures.

Yemen’s Armed Forces have hit the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, after several attempts by the Israeli military to intercept it failed. | According to initial reports, the missile bypassed four layers of air defense and struck the heart of Israel's main airport on Sunday. Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonot, citing emergency services, said at least seven people were injured in the attack.

■ Israel says to hit back 'seven times stronger' after Yemen missile fire (TRT World)

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday mocked a new U.S.-Ukraine investment deal as forcing Kyiv to pay for military aid with its natural resources, calling Ukraine a “vanishing country.” | The deal, signed at the White House on Wednesday, was framed by President Donald Trump’s administration as a new form of U.S. commitment to Ukraine in place of direct military funding. Kyiv accepted the agreement as a long-term investment measure amid Trump’s stated goal of reducing America’s overseas military footprint. ■ Medvedev, a former president and prime minister, as well as one of Moscow’s most hawkish voices since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, claimed the deal amounted to Washington forcing Ukraine to “pay for American aid with minerals.”

💬 “Trump has finally broken the Kyiv regime,” he wrote in a message on Telegram. “Now, military supplies will have to be paid for with the national wealth of a vanishing country.”

The Kremlin has not yet officially commented on the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal.

✅ War In Ukraine - The Mineral Deal Pulls Trump Back In (Moon of Alabama)
■ Ukraine confirms key precondition absent from US minerals deal (RT)
■ ‘We can start digging’ U.S. and Ukraine sign long-awaited minerals deal (05/02/25)

The US House of Representatives is set to vote on a controversial bill that proposes fines or prison terms for Americans participating in boycotts of Israel or Israeli settlements, promoted by international governmental organizations such as the UN or EU. | The House is scheduled to vote Monday on the contentious anti-boycott act, which seeks to penalize American citizens with fines up to $1 million or prison terms as long as 20 years for boycotting the Israeli regime. ● Sponsored by pro-Israel congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer, the bill will broaden the US anti-boycott law by targeting voluntary, values-based political actions undertaken by American citizens. ● The underlying objective is to shield the Israeli regime from non-violent international pressure campaigns, notably the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS). ● Rights groups warned that the legislation will criminalize constitutionally protected political expression. ● The move, according to rights groups, is part of a broader push by the US government to suppress opposition to Israeli genocide, apartheid, and illegal settlement expansion, under the guise of fighting anti-Semitism.

■ Israeli war on Gaza: 77 new martyrs in 24 hours (Al Mayadeen)
■ Israeli Strikes Kill 17 in Gaza as Children Starve Under Blockade (Antiwar)

Ynet reported that the plan, which includes calling up thousands more reservists, could be submitted to the cabinet for approval on May 4 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and the chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, discussed plans to expand the military operation in Gaza, the Ynet news website reported. ■ According to the report, during an hours-long meeting Katz and Zamir presented Netanyahu with a plan to step up military pressure on Hamas. Ynet reported that the plan, which includes calling up thousands more reservists, could be submitted to the cabinet for approval on May 4.

■ Israeli war on Gaza: 77 new martyrs in 24 hours (Al Mayadeen)
■ Israeli Strikes Kill 17 in Gaza as Children Starve Under Blockade (Antiwar)

"The political system based on democratic principles, such as competition, free expression of people’s will, rights and freedoms, has become a thing of the past," speaker of the Russian State DumaVyacheslav Volodin said | European countries are turning into totalitarian regimes led by unpopular politicians and parties, speaker of the Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin said, commenting on the designation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as "right-wing extremist."

💬 "Today, popular politicians in Germany, France, Romania, and Moldova are prosecuted, and parties are banned. European countries are turning into totalitarian regimes led by unpopular politicians and parties," he wrote on his Telegram channel, adding that what is happening there can be described as a "collapse of democracy in Europe." ■ "As soon as the leader of France’s National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, became the most popular politician having outstripped incumbent President [Emmanuel] Macron in ratings, she was deprived of electoral rights for five years and brought to criminal responsibility," he noted.

He also pointed to the annulment of the November 2024 election in Romania, which were won by opposition politician Calin Georgescu, who was barred from taking part in a new election. Apart from that, Evghenia Gutsul, the head of Moldova’s Gagauz autonomy, who refused to support the Moldovan authorities’ course toward European integration, was arrested ahead of parliamentary elections, he recalled.

💬 "The political system based on democratic principles, such as competition, free expression of people’s will, rights and freedoms, has become a thing of the past," he emphasized.

■ Germany is ‘tyranny in disguise’ – Rubio (RT) (Rubio on X)

A British Royal Marine claims he was subjected to a “witch hunt”, interrogated, and detained by counter-terror police after he questioned what is allegedly diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies to get women into the Corps even if they don’t meet its stringent training standards. | A Royal Marine says he circulated a survey questioning the wisdom of quietly dropping the standards of the elite fighting force to increase its diversity by pushing women through the selection process that would have otherwise failed had they been men. It was signed by 1,000 Corps members, he claims. ■ It is alleged after this document was escalated up the chain of command it was initially dismissed as Russian misinformation and then subjected to a “witch hunt” that culminated in the Marine being detained by terrorism police as he returned from a family holiday because they wanted to interrogate his “views”.

■ European states turning into totalitarian regimes — senior Russian MP (TASS)

Nigel Farage takes aim at the UK’s dominant parties with hefty gains in local elections | The "hard-right" party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage snatched a seat in Parliament from the governing Labour Party and won hundreds of local council seats from the opposition Conservatives in elections that Farage hailed Friday as a turning point towards ending the two parties’ political dominance. ■ Reform’s Sarah Pochin was declared winner of the seat of Runcorn and Helsby in northwest England by six votes after a recount, defeating Labour candidate Karen Shore by the narrowest of margins. ■ It was a significant defeat for Labour, which easily won the district in last year’s national election. The special election was held because Labour lawmaker Mike Amesbury was forced to quit after he was convicted of punching a constituent in a drunken rage.

President Donald Trump is threatening sanctions on anyone who buys Iranian oil | President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened sanctions on anyone who buys Iranian oil, a warning that came after planned talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program were postponed. Trump wrote on social media,

💬 “All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!” He said any country or person who buys those products from Iran will not be able to do business with the United States “in any way, shape, or form.”

It was unclear how Trump would implement such a ban as he threatened to levy secondary sanctions on nations that import Iranian oil. But his statement risked further escalating tensions with China — Iran’s leading customer — at a time when the relationship is severely strained over the U.S. president’s tariffs.

👉 Trump Unleashes Economic Doomsday on America with “Secondary Sanctions” that BLOCK all Exports from China!
✅ U.S. Imposes FULL SCALE Secondary Sanctions upon Iran Oil (Harold Turner)

In a stunning revelation with implications for free speech and government overreach, Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed on April 30, 2025, that the Biden administration’s State Department maintained secret dossiers labeling American citizens as “vectors of disinformation.” | Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the Biden administration’s State Department maintained secret files labeling U.S. citizens, including a Trump-era official, as "vectors of disinformation," raising concerns about government overreach and censorship. ■ Originally created under Obama to combat foreign disinformation, the Global Engagement Center (GEC) expanded to target domestic critics, funding groups like the Global Disinformation Index to blacklist conservative outlets (e.g., Newsmax, NY Post) as "high risk."

Source of drone strike on civilian ship has not been confirmed | A civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza was targeted in a drone attack early Friday while sailing in international waters near the island of Malta, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a statement.

💬 “At 00:23 Maltese time, a FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull,” said the coalition. It added that “the ship is currently located in international waters near Malta” and that it sent out an SOS distress signal. The coalition said “the Maltese government has not yet responded to the SOS signal from this civilian humanitarian vessel.”

The coalition called on Malta to fulfill its “obligation to act and ensure the safety of a civilian ship in distress within its proximity” as required by international maritime law.

■ Drones hit ‘Freedom Flotilla’ Gaza aid ship in international waters (Al Jazeera)

U.S. and Ukraine sign long-awaited minerals deal, establishing joint reconstruction fund and splitting revenue 50/50 | On Wednesday, the U.S. and Ukraine signed an economic partnership agreement granting the U.S. preferential access to new natural resource extraction projects in Ukraine, including ones focused on aluminum, graphite, oil, and natural gas, Bloomberg reports. The agreement, signed at the U.S. Treasury Department on April 30, also provides for the creation of a joint U.S.–Ukrainian investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction. ■ U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, announcing the deal, said that it's “time for this cruel and senseless war to end.” He added: “This deal sends a clear message to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process that has a free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine at its centre in the long term.” Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the agreement on Kyiv’s behalf, said the two countries are “creating the Fund that will attract global investment into our country.” Here's what we know about the terms of the deal so far.

■ US-Ukraine minerals fund could begin operating within months, Economy Minister says (The Kyiv Independent)
■ Ukraine and the U.S. have signed a long-stalled minerals deal (NPR)
■ Ukraine And US Sign Mineral Agreement (charter97.org)
■ US ready to spend another 100 days on Russia-Ukraine peace – Vance (RT)

 ■ The so-called government in Kyiv was not even legitimate in 2014 when the Obama/CIA staged a coup in that country, installing the Nazis there in a so-called government. Since then, “President” Zelenskyi has removed all democratic institutions in the country, opposition parties and media have been removed. The Russian Orthodox Church has been destroyed.

 ■ The so-called “president” lost his office in May 2024. Now he is not even legitimate by Ukranian (the CIA's) terms. The Rada, however, and its President, are legitimate in principle, but not really, because the election was a monstrosity. So there's nothing legitimate here. Nothing at all.

💬 "On February 26, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) passed a resolution extending Zelensky's mandate until martial law is lifted, [and] while the Verkhovna Rada must approve any decision to lift martial law, it is typically initiated by a presidential decree or proposal." (iAsk.ai)

 ■ Well, Mr. Zelenskyi will not lift martial law because he wants even more war. The US government now wants "peace" so it can start digging, and it is drooling to plunder the country of everything of economic value. It now has entered into an “agreement” with the illegitimate, Nazi regime in Kyiv. "Historic economic partnership" -- My foot! The “partnership” is a legal nullity, and is of no juridical relevance. Besides, does an antelope make a deal with a lion?

 ■ This means that the American government is stealing and plundering a country without restraint, pretending that this is legitimate and in good order. President Trump is a thief, a dirty criminal, bought and paid for...by the Jewish-controlled USA. Yes, we just said it, letting the cat out of the bag. They own him, and he does their dirty work. He's looting Ukraine for them. -- It is grotesque!

 ■ Russia should definitely consider taking all of former Ukraine minus a small strip of land in the border area with Poland, thus denying the US government their plunder. Yes, take Odesa too, and the coastal areas, thus making rump-Ukraine a landlocked entity. Drive them all out! The Americans, the British, and the French. All of them. -- And good riddance! (Editor awip)

Kit Klarenberg | Across the United States and much of the West, criticism of Israel and solidarity with Palestine are increasingly being criminalized—a project long championed by Israel’s government and its powerful lobbying networks. | In February 2020, Israeli leader and internationally wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu proudly declared that Tel Aviv had “promoted laws in most U.S. states” to punish those who boycott Israel, offering a rare glimpse into the foreign forces eroding free speech in the American heartland. ■ Since then, anti-boycott laws have quietly spread to dozens of states, forcing public institutions, businesses, and even individual contractors to pledge loyalty to Israel—or risk losing jobs, contracts, and funding. What began as a niche effort to shield Tel Aviv from grassroots criticism has rapidly escalated into a sweeping assault on free speech across the Western world. ■ The overwhelming majority of states now boast laws making it illegal for local entities, including hospitals and schools, to work with individuals or companies that boycott Israel. For example, in 2016, Indiana’s Senate unanimously passed a law calling for mandatory divestment by state agencies, commercial enterprises, and nonprofit organizations—including universities—from any firm involved in “the promotion of activities to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel.”

✅ Facing Prison Time in Germany for Criticizing an Israeli Journalist: The Case of Hüseyin Dogru (Alan Macleod)

The chief of the defence staff – Britain’s most senior military officer – refused to answer questions yesterday about Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance flights over Gaza and intelligence sharing with Israel. ■ Admiral Sir Tony Radakin declined to comment on whether the operations made him a participant in Israel’s campaign in Gaza, which is the subject of a genocide investigation by the UN’s top court. ■ Radakin was questioned about the operations by Declassified for more than two minutes as he walked along London’s Victoria Embankment from the Ministry of Defence to parliamentary offices at Portcullis House. ■ “I’m going to a public accounts committee hearing and I don’t really have time for this conversation”, the Admiral said, before refusing to engage further. ■ Despite heading to parliament to discuss the military’s budget, he ignored questions about how much the RAF has spent on more than 500 spy flights over Gaza since December 2023. ■ Two armed police officers who were escorting him then tried to block Declassified from speaking to Radakin but our questions continued. ■ The Admiral looked progressively unsettled as he was asked “Do you have concerns about sharing intelligence with the prime minister of a country that’s wanted by the International Criminal Court?”

■ British military chief walks away from Gaza spy flight questions (Declassified)

"Now, the country that is about to disappear will have to use its national wealth to pay for military supplies," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said | US President Donald Trump has finally pressured the Kiev authorities to use their mineral resources to pay for military aid, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said. ● "Trump has finally pressured the Kiev regime to pay for US aid with mineral resources. Now, the country that is about to disappear will have to use its national wealth to pay for military supplies," he wrote on Telegram. ● Earlier, Trump confirmed that Washington and Kiev had concluded a deal on US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.

■ US, Ukraine sign minerals deal (TASS)
■ US-Ukraine Minerals Deal: 'Trojan Horse' for Creating a Frozen Conflict? (Sputnik)

Translation: The first visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to the Dominican Republic is connected, among other things, with the opening of the Russian embassy in that country. ● There is no building yet, the diplomatic mission is located in an office. But it is already actively working.